Sand Serpent was a compact Wild Mouse-style roller coaster that ran at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida from 2004 until its closure in 2023. Built by German manufacturer Mack Rides, the ride packed a series of tight, hairpin turns and sudden drops into a small footprint, making it a staple family coaster in the park’s Pantopia area for nearly two decades.
Before it ever reached Tampa, the ride had an earlier life at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia, where it debuted in 1996. After relocating to Florida in 2004 it was renamed twice more, finally settling on “Sand Serpent” in 2011, before closing for good in July 2023 to make way for the park’s Phoenix Rising coaster.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa, Florida
- Manufacturer: Mack Rides
- Opened: February 28, 2004 (in Tampa); originally debuted April 12, 1996, at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Closed: July 9, 2023
- Height: about 46 feet (14 m)
- Top speed: about 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Length: about 1,214 feet (370 m)
- Inversions: None
The Ride Experience
As a Wild Maus-style coaster, Sand Serpent sent its small, individual cars through a maze of sharp, switchback turns and compact drops rather than relying on height or speed for its thrills. The layout’s tight geometry gave riders a jerky, unpredictable feel that made it a favorite first coaster for younger park guests, with the full circuit lasting under two minutes.
The ride’s modest stats, a 46-foot drop and a top speed of 28 mph, kept it accessible to a wide range of riders while still delivering the quick direction changes the Wild Mouse design is known for.
A Well-Traveled Ride
Sand Serpent’s history stretched back further than most guests realized. It first opened in 1996 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg as “Wild Izzy,” named for the mascot of that year’s Summer Olympics, before being rebranded “Wild Maus.” The ride was relocated to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2004, where it operated as “Cheetah Chase” until 2011, when it was renamed “Sand Serpent” to avoid confusion with the newer Cheetah Hunt coaster.
Sand Serpent closed permanently on July 9, 2023, after nearly 20 years in Tampa, clearing space for Phoenix Rising, a family inverted coaster that opened on the site in July 2024.
Explore more: Browse more roller coasters.
Rub-on sunscreen that fits in a pocket — reapply in the queue without greasy hands on the lap bar.
Folds into its own pocket. Pop it on when the storm rolls in and the rides reopen to short lines.
Keeps your phone strapped to you, not in a loose-article bin. Zip it before the lift hill and walk straight off the exit ramp.
Sand Serpent FAQs
Is Sand Serpent still open at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
No. Sand Serpent closed permanently on July 9, 2023, and was replaced by the family inverted coaster Phoenix Rising, which opened in July 2024.
What type of roller coaster was Sand Serpent?
It was a Wild Mouse-style steel coaster built by Mack Rides, featuring small cars, tight hairpin turns, and short, sharp drops rather than inversions or high speed.
Where was Sand Serpent located before Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
The ride originally operated at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia starting in 1996, where it was known first as Wild Izzy and then Wild Maus, before relocating to Tampa in 2004.
Get More from Sand Serpent
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Sand Serpent, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Jeremy Thompson from Los Angeles, California / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.